Across the trade, dishwasher repairs land somewhere between $150 and $400 all in, parts and labor, with some jobs pushing past that, particularly control board and motor replacements. The actual number depends on which part failed and how long it takes to get to it.
Here’s what each common repair typically costs, so you know what to expect before anyone shows up.
Which Dishwashers We Actually Work On
One thing before the part-by-part numbers: we only take dishwasher repairs on premium machines, $1,000 and up new, brands like Miele, Fisher & Paykel, Cove, or Asko. We don’t take repair calls on LG, Samsung, Bosch, KitchenAid, or Whirlpool dishwashers, and that’s a permanent policy, not a slow-week thing. It isn’t about how those machines run day to day. It’s the economics: the parts pricing on those units, weighed against what the machine costs new, makes a repair a bad deal for you, and we’re not going to take your money on a bad deal. On the machines we do take, jobs start at $400 once the $99 diagnostic finds the actual fault.
The breakdown below is what each type of failure typically runs across the trade, so you know the shape of the problem before anyone shows up at your door.
Pump and Motor Failures
The wash pump and drain pump are the most common causes of a dishwasher that’s not cleaning well or leaves standing water at the bottom. A drain pump replacement usually runs $150–$300. The wash pump or motor assembly is more involved, often $350–$600 or more depending on the brand, because it’s deeper in the machine and takes longer to access.
If your dishwasher hums but doesn’t fill, or runs but doesn’t drain, suspect the pump first. A tech will pull the lower spray arm and filter assembly, check for blockages (a lot of “pump failures” are just a clogged filter), and test the motor. Clearing a blockage might cost you nothing beyond the diagnostic fee. An actual pump swap is a couple hours of labor plus the part.
Door Latch and Latch Assembly
A dishwasher that won’t start, or starts and then stops mid-cycle, is often a door latch. The switch inside the latch tells the control board the door is closed. When it fails, the machine just sits there.
This is one of the cheaper fixes. Parts are usually $20–$50 and replacement is straightforward on most brands. Total repair cost runs $100–$200 depending on your specific model. Worth fixing. If the machine clicks but won’t start, or an error indicates the door isn’t registering as closed, this is the first thing to check.
Control Board
The control board is the brain. When it goes, you might see the display acting erratically, buttons not responding, or the machine stuck in a loop or dead entirely.
This one’s expensive. Boards typically run $100–$400 or more for the part alone depending on brand and whether you use OEM, and labor brings the total to $300–$600 or more. Before replacing it, a good tech will rule out simpler causes: a bad thermal fuse, a failed door latch switch, or a wiring issue can all mimic a board failure. If a tech jumps straight to “needs a new board” without checking anything else, that’s worth a second opinion.
On older machines (8+ years), a board replacement might not make financial sense. A new dishwasher starts around $400–$500 for a basic model. That math matters.
Heating Element
The heating element handles two things: heating the water during the wash cycle and drying the dishes at the end. If your dishes come out wet but otherwise clean, or the water never seems to get hot enough, the element is a likely culprit.
Element replacement usually runs $150–$350. The part itself is often $25–$75, but access varies a lot by brand and model. Some are a 20-minute job; others require pulling the unit and disassembling the tub.
A tech will check the element with a multimeter before replacing it. Resistance out of spec means it’s done. Also worth checking: the high-limit thermostat and the thermal fuse, which are inexpensive parts that can fail for similar reasons and prevent the element from working.
Spray Arms and Water Inlet Valve
Spray arms are cheap. If yours are cracked or clogged and cleaning won’t fix them, replacement is usually under $50 for parts and maybe $75–$125 total. Clean the spray arm holes with a toothpick before calling anyone; it’s a legitimate first step.
The water inlet valve controls the fill. If your machine isn’t filling at all, or fills too slowly, this is the usual suspect. Parts run $20–$60, and total repair cost is typically $120–$200.
Diagnostic Fee and What It Covers
Most appliance repair companies charge a diagnostic fee, typically $50–$150 depending on provider and region, to come out and identify the problem. Reputable shops will apply that fee toward the repair if you move forward. If you decide not to repair, you’ve paid for the diagnosis.
Ask about this upfront. Also ask whether the quote includes both parts and labor, and what the warranty covers on the repair.
What’s Worth Repairing vs. Replacing
A rough rule: if the repair costs more than half what a new machine costs, and the dishwasher is over 8 years old, replacement is worth considering. Within the premium tier we service, that math holds up well. A $400 repair on a $1,200 Miele or Fisher & Paykel machine still makes sense; the same repair on a unit nearing the end of its life doesn’t.
Pump, latch, element, and inlet valve repairs are almost always worth it on a premium machine under 10 years old. Control board replacement on an older unit gets harder to justify.
When to Call a Pro
Beyond cleaning the spray arms or checking the filter, you’re into tech territory. Pump work, heating elements, and control boards all require proper disassembly and diagnosis, and misdiagnosis gets expensive fast. Replacing a control board when the actual problem was a $15 thermal fuse is a real thing that happens.
We work on premium dishwashers throughout the Bay Area. We’ll get you on the schedule fast, often same or next day when we can. The $99 diagnostic tells you exactly what’s wrong and whether it’s worth fixing, and it’s credited toward the repair if you move forward. Furnace or AC trouble on the same visit? That’s our Bay Area HVAC Service division, and if you’re looking at a replacement instead of a repair, the assessment visit is free. Book at adriumservice.com.